Fishing Reports for September 2

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

We got a few days of fishing in last week before it hit. Fifty knot winds in the marina, gusts of 70 knots on Destruction Island, and 15 hours with no power. All of this kept the boat tied to the docks extra tight and it has been that way since Saturday. Luckily it appears that the seas will be laying down on Thursday so the early outlook for the weekend should be nice.

Before the winds came we were able to get a few good days of fishing in. Our Tuna trip on Tuesday was the best and most productive trip we have had all year with flat water and very hungry fish. Forty-four miles from Westport and no fish hooked while trolling made this an interesting day. Every year things seem to transition this way and you have to be prepared with a lot of live bait, metal jigs and swimbaits. Look for patches of jumpers, ease in on them, toss a lot of live bait and wait. Sometimes its is just a few minutes and others it might take a while for the Tuna to come up. Use your jigs here to help.

Salmon fishing has been awesome when you locate the schools. This past week they were up around 47.05 in 170 feet of water. We caught fish from the surface down to 100 feet on the wire. The water has cooled off to normal levels and so the fishery has return to normal patterns. We caught a few Kings and a number of nice Coho. Lure of choice this week was the Silver Horde 3.5 Cookies and Cream Tail Wagger spoon. Fish it behind a rotating flasher or an inline flasher. Our Short Bus, Pole Dancer, flasher was the hot one and has been all summer.

Since we have had some major weather move through through the fishing is going to have changed when we get back out. With all the much needed rain over the past few days I suspect that fish will have moved in and moved on so, we will be in the search mode again. Look in the more traditional spots for early September.

We still have a number of open spots available for September so give us a call if you want to go fishing. Fall is always a great time to come to the coast for some really nice fishing. Westport still has a few events to coming like the annual Boat Basin Salmon derby, beginning September 15th, and the Salmon Tales festival. Come joins us for the fun. Have Fun, be Safe, and we will see you in Westport

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Fair” prospects for Sockeye in Marine Area 5 during the month of September.

Marine Area 6

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Fair” prospects for Sockeye, and “Good” prospects for Coho in Marine Area 6 during the month of September.

Marine Area 7

Kyle Hill and Brandon Flew holding a pair o’ Kings

Kings, Pinks and Coho continue to move through the San Juans. This rain will get more fish in the Islands. When it isn’t blowing 60, there should be some fishable water to catch the fish on.

The upcoming Labor Day weekend, with soft afternoon tides, should be a good time to get a last shot at Prawns before the final Marine Area 7 West closure on September 15th.

Crabbing will stay open in Marine Area 7 South until September 28th, but remember to get your Winter Catch Card for any crabbing after September 8th. Summer catch cards are only valid through September 7th, and need to be returned to WDFW between September 8th-30th.

Submitted by Kevin Klein, Fidalgo-SanJuan Islands Chapter PSA, CCA Northsound. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports was also submitted by Kevin.

Marine Area 8.1

no report this week

Marine Area 8.2

Just before this weekend’s windstorm hit a number of Coho started to enter the daily catches. There are still a lot of Humpies everyplace. The Coho are averaging around six to ten pounds, while Humpies are averaging about three to six pounds. The Salmon for Soldiers fishing outing was canceled due to high winds, however, congratulations to Randy Shelton, Nelson Goodsell and the rest of the crew who put on the fabulous barbecue at the event. Approximately 450 attended the barbecue; a good time was had by all.

Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)

With the calmer weather arriving, anglers are finding the rain has brought in some early Coho. The average Coho has been in the six to ten pound range, with a few larger. The best lures seem to be Ace Hi-Fly, Coho Killers, or Tail Waggers in various colors. Crabbing continues to be fair, but not outstanding, in upper Hood Canal. Fishermen report high theft from their pots.

Reported submitted by Tom Nelson

Marine Area 10

no report this week

Marine Area 11

The Chinook fishing picked up along the Gig Harbor shore line Friday. Although the fishing pressure was light the fishermen that did get out did well. I saw several chinook ranging from 8lbs. to 14lbs. and a couple of Coho and Pinks mixed in as well.

The pinks are running between 30’ to 60’ deep or more but are abundant in the Colvos Passage area and Commencement bay near the Puyallup River. Crabbing continues to be slow overall as far as legal Dungeness crab goes. For more information and the latest report call (253)591-5325.

Basic Fishing Classes Offered at Point Defiance Marina
Monthly classes are offered to youth and for adults to prepare you to better take advantage of the fishing at Point Defiance and the local lakes and rivers. Learn knot tying, tackle, rods and reels, rigging techniques, regulations, and safety. September 5, 2015 from 10 am to 12 noon. Call 253-591-5325 to learn more about these classes

Pier Peer Tacoma Night

September 19, 2015 7:30-9pm at Point Defiance Marina. Online registration at www.metroparkstacoma.org/pierpeer. See and touch marine creatures brought up from the deep by local divers. Learn about the wonders of Puget Sound up close from Tacoma Nature Center Staff/Volunteers and PD marina staff. Ages 8+ and is $8 per person. Youth require one on one adult chaperone. More information call 253-591-5325. Life Jackets and warm refreshments provided.

Monthly Beach Clean Up

September 19, 2015 from 9 am to 12 noon. Volunteers needed. Come help us be good stewards of beach and promenade in Point Defiance Park. For more information contact genea@tacomaparks.com or 253-591-5325

Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)

no report this week

Marine Area 13

no report this week

Freshwater – Lake Chelan

Andrew and Drew (12) Hennen of Newberg, OR with their mornings catch of Lake Chelan Mackinaw.

Our summer pattern of trolling for Lake Trout on Chelan early in the morning on the Bar with a sprinkling of big fish continues hot even as we approach Labor Day. Also, hot is trolling the face of Manson Bay later in the mornings. The good news as I write this is cooler damper weather has entered the area and swept most of the smoke out of the Chelan Valley, at least for the moment.

Chance Rudiger (7) of Woodinville, Wa with her 15# 14oz Bar Mack.

On the Bar, look for depths from 118 to 150 feet deep. That lower hump is still covered with fish during the first hour of light. Later in the morning it is best to troll in Manson Bay at depths of 110 feet near Wapato Point and up to 270 feet deep in the center of the bay. As always, fish within 3 to 5 feet of the bottom and keep your speed from 1.1 to 1.4 mph. Jeff’s drift rig in green has worked quite well. Similar in profile, the Needlefish squid rig by Silver Horde / Goldstar has also worked. Bait these rigs with a chunk of Northern Pikeminnow. Scent everything with Pautzke’s Krill Juice.

I am going to continue to dispense with our normal format to update you on the fire fighting and recovery efforts here in the Valley. Near the end of last weekend the new Type I incident team steered the First Creek Fire up Slide Ridge and kept it up there as it burned it’s way past the Narrows. That greatly reduced the likelihood of burning embers making it across Lake Chelan to Manson. The Chelan Complex Fire was kept up on the ridge as it worked it’s way past Manson to the North. With that accomplished, it looks like Manson is pretty safe from direct fire danger.

Up until the afternoon of the 27th, the big story had become the loss of business in the Valley primarily due to smoke. It had been rated unhealthy to hazardous most days. With shifting winds and changing weather that is changing. All of us in the hospitality and recreation business are hoping the smoke will continue to dissipate and allow visitors to return without risking their respiratory systems…

We still had a few hardy customers that wanted to fish and the fish have really been cooperating. See the attached pictures! Thank you for your kind words of concern and support!

Freshwater – Lake Washington

no report this week

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

This week at Potholes we had weather changes and challenges. One day smoke from the wildfires and the next day wind up to 40 mph. I did fish mid week with my neighbor Tom for Walleye to learn how and where. We fished in areas of the lake that I have fished in the past: off the face of the dunes and the humps coming up to 5 feet. We ended up with 8 eater sized fish averaging 16-inches. He had a Minnkota equipped with the I Pilot that kept us in a hot spot. Our success was in trolling bottom walkers and a homemade worm harness.

This past weekend was the last of a series of qualifiers for the Washington State Bass Federation team. My wife Linda and I went to the final weigh-in at the Glen Williams ramp, commonly known as the Linn Coulee ramp. It was great seeing so many old faces from my days at Sportco and meeting several new friends. With two fishermen on a boat each had their own live well to keep their fish with a limit of 5 per fishermen. With 44 fishermen fishing there were 361 bass weighed and 357 released alive.

The 2 day catches were totaled as your total weight. Every fisherman weighed fish with the following top weights:

– Dwayne Lyons had a total weight of 33.55 pounds
– Doug Jorgensen second at 31.46 pounds
– Tyler Walcker at a close 3rd with 31.26 pounds

If I remember, the top 16 finishers for the year qualify to go on to the NW regionals in Oregon to see just who the best are and to work up through the ranks to the nationals.

With the lake dropping the fish of all species are becoming more concentrated and fishing will continue and keep getting better.

Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD in East Sooke. The Trap Shack and the Bedfords were the most productive locations over the week. The best fishing there has been in tight to shore in 100 feet of water or less and between 40 – 70 feet on the downrigger. Most springs were running from 10 to 20 lbs in size with the occasional 20+ lber being caught. Anchovies were the most productive bait for the springs and No Bananas and Halloween Candy were productive teaser heads. However, spoons and plastic baits have been popular as well. There are a few pink salmon being caught and you had to work harder for them. The best pink fishing has been on the flood tide in the tide lines far out in the strait. A few hatchery coho are also starting to show up in the catches. The Glow/Green Stripe hootchy has been effective for springs this past week. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Lemon Lime, Super Betsey and the Purple Onion have been good.

Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most salmon were caught when fishing with lures right on the bottom (60-110 ft) on the Flats and by the Gap. The fish were hitting needlefish spoon and squirts. Anglers also caught fish jigging right on the bottom. G-force and Skinny G spoons in No Bananas and Outfitter colours worked just fine. Coho Killers in Gold Nugget and Green Splatterback have been pretty productive too. The best flasher has been the Gibbs Lemon Lime and the Bon Chovy.

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Salmon fishing was GOOD this week. Springs, a few hatchery coho, the odd pink and some catch and release wild coho were reported by Pedder Bay Marina. Everywhere from William Head to Church Rock produced spring salmon. The odd pink salmon is still coming in and most of those are from out near the shipping. Some hatchery coho are being caught there as well. Most of the springs caught have been at that 40-60 foot depths. Anglers jigging in the bay were also catching springs using the 8 oz and 6 oz Gibbs/Delta Jumbo Anchovy jigging lure. Anchovy was the most productive bait when trolling for springs with Glow Green and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective Flashers that remain popular include Super Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion.

The Tour de Rock Salmon Derby was held at Pedder Bay Marina this past weekend. First place went to Paul Egli who caught a 19.95 spring. Second place went to Kelly Brame for a 16.6 lb spring and third went to Richard Gear for a 15.0 lb spring.

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past midweek. Fish from 30 lbs to just under 70 lbs were weighed at the marina. Anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Greg Baynton and John Knappett and had a good day Sunday at Pender Bluffs

Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD near Pender Island. The salmon have been most abundant close to Pender Bluffs and most boats are getting fish there. The springs are there in good numbers and they have been hitting Electric Chair hootchies trolled between 60 – 120 feet on the downrigger. Some of the springs are in the high twenties in size. There are still some pinks around, just not too many. Coho are also in the area and we’ve heard of both wild and hatchery fish caught. Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out-producing hootchies and the hot patterns for springs now are Orange/Black/White, Purple Haze and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget.

The Sidney Anglers Association held their annual Round Up derby this past Sunday. First place went to Cliff Kindree for an 18 lb 9 oz spring and second went to Don McIvor for a 10.8 lb spring.

The salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week. The springs were quite abundant and good catches came from all areas. Most of the springs were weighing between 10 to 20 lbs, but there were a few 20+lbs size. Percy Miller landed a 33.6 lb spring near Otter Point on Friday. The bigger springs are being caught in the 35 – 60 ft depths. Some hatchery and wild coho are also being caught, mostly out in the shipping lanes. Sockeye and wild coho still have o be released. Some pink salmon are still around but there were fewer of them this past week. Anchovies are the number one choice of bait for Sooke anglers. Teaser heads that have been performing well with anchovies and herring are Chartreuse, Green Glow Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been catching their fair number of fish. Coho Killers have been quite effective in catching pinks. The most popular flashers recently have been the Ok’i Betsey, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Madi.

Ryan & Riley Mace with a limit of Springs from the waterfront on Wednesday.

Fishing for springs was VERY GOOD, both at Constance Bank and along the waterfront. The springs were spread out from Clover Point to Albert Head, depending on the tide. That said, Macauley Point was the area most congested with boats. Anchovies, spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Chartreuse and UV green have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and pink squirts. Gibbs Coho Killers, Sitka needlefish and Coyote spoons in green, moon glow and silver colours have been very effective. The Lemon Lime flasher has been very effective recently. The Glow Green Splatter Back Coho Killer has been a very effective out on the bank. Terry Finnigan caught a 23 lb spring salmon off the breakwater Sunday.

The James Bay Anglers Association held their Annual Salmon derby this past Saturday and Sunday. First place went to Tomi Mitrovic for a 21 lb 8 oz spring. Wayne Gionet came in second with a 20 lb 10 oz spring. Third place went to Gerry Kuzyk for a 18lb 34 oz spring. There were 42 springs weighed in, 11 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday. The largest salmon caught by a lady was an 16 lb 10 oz spring caught by Donna Mae.

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Anglers report that the dogfish were less of a problem this past week. Most anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. We’re hoping that there will be enough rain this week to allow fishing in the rivers again.

Fishing is GOOD on most lakes as the water temperatures climb. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.

Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and right on the bottom. Orange Garlic and Pink Garlic have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers have been doing well with Gibbs Gang Trolls and Gibbs Wedding Bands. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers in rainbow, green or black and white patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern.

Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. At this time of year most of the bass are in the shallows. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well too. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.

All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. We’re hoping that there will be enough rain this week to allow fishing in the rivers again.

Oregon

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reports that Spring Chinook fishing closed July 31 for transition to the fall season August 1. Expect slow fishing until later in August. Trolling herring or large bladed spinners are the two most popular techniques.

Great Lakes

Lake Michigan

Weather has turned great and action on all species has cranked up. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast by e-mail!

How Chinook: The Reaper Fish N Chip Magnum spoons are best when on 8 color Leadcores. Divers set at #1.5 with 160 feet of line out another option.

How Lake Trout: Action for Lakers has been steady. Same presentation as for Chinooks has been best. Over the last week I have taken Lakers 40 to 135 down over 60 to 160 feet of water. Option #2 Copper and Lead cores are also good. Best action has been in 125 feet of water today.

How Coho: Coho have found the 2 and 3 color lead cores with magnum spoons. Rainbow Trout Vulcan regular Green Dolphin spoons on 2,3 and 4 color lead core best. They have turned on over the last 2 days. You must fish deep to catch this jumping fish in about 140 feet of water.

Where: Fish are north or south of Milwaukee. Fish the complete water column for the best action. Set up in 90 feet and fish out to 160 and back in. Fish the gaps at first light is another option for Brown Trout and a few Chinooks. Our best speed was 1.9 to 2.0 mph measured at the ball with the Depth Raider. The current has been strong watch your speed!

Have a great fishing season.

Jim Hirt charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his website.